3m Combat arms earplugs lawsuit
Summary of the case
MM~LAW is evaluating cases and seeking compensation for individuals who have experienced hearing loss after using the 3M Dual-Ended Combat Arms™ Earplugs Version 2 (3M Earplugs) during deployment or training.
Between 2003 and 2015, 3M’s now-discontinued Earplugs were standard-issue equipment for U.S. soldiers deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. Thousands of service members were provided these 3M Earplugs, which were allegedly defective, potentially creating an increased risk of tinnitus, permanent hearing loss, damage, or impairment.
These 3M Earplugs were color-coded yellow on one side for Weapons-Fire Mode and green on the other for Closed/Constant Protection Mode. They were designed to restrict loud noise such as gunfire and explosions while simultaneously allowing low-level noise to be heard.
In 2018, 3M agreed to a $9.1 million settlement in a whistle-blower case that alleged it knowingly sold defective earplugs to the military, though the company admitted no wrongdoing nor liability.
The lawsuit alleged that the 3M Earplugs did not function as intended and were not long enough to be properly inserted into a service member’s ears, gradually loosening and putting the user’s hearing at risk. Additional accusations against 3M and Aero Technologies, which was acquired by 3M in 2008, allege that test results of the earplugs were manipulated to meet the U.S. government’s required product standards.
how MM~LAW is helping
MM~LAW is dedicated to fighting for the rights of U.S. service members and veterans. We are leading a consortium of seven national law firms in the representation of thousands of Gold Star families and veterans. We have filed lawsuits against European banks that conspired with, and illegally laundered billions of dollars for Iran, knowing that Iran was sponsoring the terrorist groups attacking coalition forces in Iraq.
We are bringing that experience and passion to this case on behalf of veterans who may have been harmed while serving their country. MM~LAW and its co-counsel fund all the expenses of lawsuits and we work exclusively on a contingency basis, meaning our clients are not charged any fees or incur expenses unless compensation for damages is actually obtained for our clients.
To be eligible for this case, service members will need to demonstrate that they experience hearing loss, damage, or impairment and used 3M’s Earplugs. If you meet those criteria, you may be entitled to compensation and you may be able to help prevent similar abuses and harms in the future.
Please fill out the form below if you believe you or a loved one is eligible. MM~LAW will help you determine if legal action is appropriate and gather the information required to move your case forward.
3M qualification criteria for service members and their families:
1. The service member must have served from 2003-2015 and have been discharged by February 1, 2015.
2. They must have been diagnosed with service-connected hearing loss and/or tinnitus and be receiving VA disability benefits for hearing loss and/or tinnitus.
3. The service member must have used the green/yellow 3M Earplugs.
4. Unfortunately, the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Louisiana have one-year statutes of limitations, which means that we cannot accept cases from those states.
5. Unfortunately, we cannot accept claims from service members who are currently on active duty, in the Reserves, or are National Guard members.
FREE 3M EARPLUG CASE EVALUATION*
*We provide free confidential case evaluations, and we do not charge any fees or costs unless compensation is obtained for our clients.
